Foreign object debris barrier for runways

ABSTRACT

A collapsible runway side barrier for preventing foreign object debris (FOD) from entering a runway and taxiway is disclosed. The barrier may have an aerodynamic profile, one side of the barrier profile may be convex and the other side of the barrier profile may be concave. The side barrier may further have ground attachment elements and may be constructed to collapse if the landing wheels of an aircraft impact the barrier.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/721,092, filed May 26, 2015, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/816,274, filed on Feb. 11, 2013, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,284,067, which is a National Phase Application of PCTInternational Application No. PCT/IL2011/000616, International FilingDate Jul. 31, 2011, claiming priority of Israeli Patent Application No.207600, filed Aug. 12, 2010, all of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the safety of airport runways. Moreparticularly, the invention provides a side barrier preventing foreignobject debris (FOD) from entering a runway and taxiway and endangeringaircraft.

The importance of keeping airport runways and taxiways clear of FOD iswell known.

An important consideration requiring attention is that the largediameter engines used by jet aircrafts are most often located under theaircraft wings, thus bringing the engine intake perilously close toground level. As aircraft jet engines can be severely damaged oningestion of even small solid particles, a clean runway is needed toensure the safe operation of the engines, particularly during take-off.

The arrival of FOD on a runway or taxiway is often due to winds or windcaused by jet blast which collect FOD from an outside area. After thewind abates and before any airplane is cleared for take-off a clean-upcrew may be sent to clear the runway for both incoming and outgoingaircraft. The resultant delays can have a ripple effect on other flightsresulting in angry passengers and much fuel wastage as incoming aircraftcircle the airport in a holding pattern.

While it may appear at first glance that the erection of a FOD barrieron each side of a runway is a simple matter, it must be realized thatunder various circumstances (pilot error, fog, under carriagemalfunction, a collision avoidance maneuver etc.) an aircraft may failto adhere to the line marking the runway center and collide with the FODbarrier. If the barrier is rigid such a collision is likely to result inloss of life, injuries and a wrecked aircraft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly Prevost in U.S. Patent application 2008/0175665, and U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,207,742 7,223,047 and 7,677,833 discloses an arrangementwherein a downward slope is created adjacent to each side of the runway.A water impermeable material covers the slope, at the bottom of which aline of artificial grass is to collect FOD driven by jet blasts andwater run-off from the runway. The drawbacks of this system include thedifficulty of cleaning the artificial grass and the high cost ofcreating two or 3 levels where only one level—the surface of therunway—exists presently.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to obviatethe disadvantages of prior art methods of clearing a runway and taxiwaysand to provide a side barrier which stops and reduces FOD before it canreach the runway and endanger aircraft thereon.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsiblebarrier which will cause no damage to an aircraft colliding therewith.

Yet a further object is to retain the FOD and allow for its collectionor removal in an orderly manner

Yet another object is to easily clean the runway from FOD withoutblocking it by the barrier.

Finally it is an object of the present invention to provide a barrier ofaerodynamic characteristics.

The present invention achieves the above objects by providing a runwayside barrier for preventing foreign object debris (FOD) from entering arunway used by aircraft, said barrier having ground attachment means andbeing constructed to collapse if the landing wheels of an aircraftimpact said barrier and thus allow said aircraft to safely continuelanding/takeoff/taxiing.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided abarrier being provided with a plurality of rows of ground attachmentitems.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there isprovided a barrier being made of an elastomer, the height of saidbarrier being temporarily reduced by at least 80% when compressed bysaid landing wheels of said aircraft.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention there isprovided a barrier being made of a rigid material, the barrier profileincluding break points 37 allowing collapse of said profile underpressure of an aircraft landing wheel.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there isprovided a barrier wherein the barrier profile includes at least oneopening which can be accessed for cleaning from a moving vehicle by useof standard cleaning tools and can be accessed by a robot or a cleaningperson moving in a direction parallel to said barrier.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there isprovided a barrier further provided with drainage channels disposedbetween ground attachment means.

In yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention there isprovided a barrier further provided with support means for a row ofspaced-apart landing lights disposed along the length thereof.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention there isprovided a barrier wherein means are provided for varying the heightthereof.

In a most preferred embodiment the barrier is aerodynamic having oneside convex while the other being concave.

The invention further comprises two methods for manufacturing andinstalling the barrier described herein.

In a first method of the present invention of installing a runway sidebarrier for FOD spaced-apart fold relief recesses are providedtherealong, allowing said barrier to be transported from themanufacturer to an airport in a compact folded form.

In a second method provided by present invention a barrier is installedafter being manufactured in discrete lengths for convenient storage andtransport. One extremity of each length is formed in a hollowconfiguration to engage the unformed extremity of an adjacent lengthwhen deployed at the side of a runway.

It will thus be realized that the novel device of the present inventionserves not only to stop FOD being blown onto the runway but also allowsorderly collection, cleaning or removing thereof.

A very important feature of all embodiments of the invention is thateven if the aircraft hits the barrier for whatever reason, the barrierwill collapse and allow the landing wheel to crush the barrier withoutcausing damage to the aircraft.

The invention shows how the barrier may be constructed using a widevariety of materials—steel, aluminium, rubber and plastics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described further with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which represent by example preferred embodimentsof the invention. Structural details are shown only as far as necessaryfor a fundamental understanding thereof. The described examples,together with the drawings, will make apparent to those skilled in theart how further forms of the invention may be realized.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of runways in a present-day airport.

FIG. 2 is a further plan view the same airport, showing FOD encroachingon a runway of said airport;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the runways seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the runways seen in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sheet metal embodiment, or any othermaterial;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment made from an aluminiumextrusion;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further sheet metal embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further similar embodiment providedwith struts;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further similar embodiment providedwith struts which are configured to collapse;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a barrier supporting landing lights;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment allowing drainage;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an adjustable embodiment seen in a lowposition:

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the same adjustable embodiment seen ina high position:

FIG. 14 is a view of a foldable embodiment and

FIG. 15 is a view of an embodiment comprising discrete joinable lengths.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There are seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 several runways 10, 14 typical of thosefound in a present-day airport. FOD 18 is seen accumulating near therunways 10, 14. These runways are interconnected by parking/taxing areas12, 16 used by aircraft 22 waiting for permission to take off.

The runways are clean, no FOD is encroaching on a runway of saidairport; In FIGS. 2 and 4 the same runways are seen, with FODencroaching on parking areas 12, 16 and runways.

A preferred embodiment of the FOD barrier, to be installed on both sidesof the runways according to the invention is seen in FIG. 5 and is madeof sheet metal or any other suitable material. The barrier 34 isprovided with two rows 36 38 of ground attachment items. If crushed byan aircraft 22 landing wheel, the damaged portion of the barrier 34 isdiscarded and replaced. Preferably the shape being aerodynamicprofile—one side of the barrier the “FOD collection side” concave toenable stopping FOD from entering the runway and the other side of thebarrier, having a convex shape.

The barrier embodiment 40 seen in FIG. 6 can be produced as an aluminiumextrusion or rubber of about 350 mm is sufficient. As such, the presentembodiment 40 can be produced at low cost but will need replacement ifcrushed by the landing wheel of an aircraft.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate further embodiments 42, 44 and 46. Theembodiment 42 seen in FIG. 7 is a simple low-cost barrier whichcollapses easily and is thus suitable for a runway serving lightaircrafts.

The embodiment 44 seen in FIG. 8 is provided with support pillars 45.The pillars 45 are driven into the soil if compressed by the passagethereover of a landing wheel. Thus there is a possibility of reusing thedamaged section by repositioning the edge 48 upwards. Incontradistinction thereto the supports 50 provided in the embodiment 46seen in FIG. 9 are intended to break when compressed and are replacedthereafter.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is depicted a barrier 52 furtherprovided with support means for a row of spaced-apart landing lights 54disposed along the length thereof. The sheet metal profile provides aconvenient protective housing for the electric cable 56 providing powerto the lights 54.

In FIG. 11 there is seen a FOD barrier 58 further provided with drainagechannels 60 disposed between ground attachment means 62. This drainageis useful in preventing standing water on the runway resulting fromrain, washing of aircraft or the operation of fire extinguishers.

The barrier 58 seen is made of perforated metal 64 to allow drainage andto facilitate collapse when compressed by a landing wheel.Alternatively, other permeable materials may be used, such as recycledrubber.

Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 13, there is seen a barrier 66 whereinhinged struts 68 are provided and are pivoted at 70 proximate to theupper edge 72 of the barrier 66. A fixed actuator 74 is heldsubstantially at ground level. An telescopic arm 76 forms part of thestrut 68 near the fixed actuator 74. The actuator 74 can shorten thestrut 68 as in FIG. 12 for lowering the barrier 66, or lengthen thestrut 68 as in FIG. 13 to raise the barrier 66.

Where it is foreseen that the profile height is to be set once only, theappropriate actuator 74 is a screw and nut arrangement which is hand seton installation to bring the barrier 66 to a chosen height.

However where it is intended to regularly change the height of thebarrier 66 the actuator 74 comprises a screw and nut mechanism operatedby a reversible direction electric motor. A central control station tooperate the height adjustment mechanisms can be located in the controltower.

The actuator 74 may comprise a fluid power cylinder. The actuators 74can be remotely operated from the control tower.

Height adjustability is advantageous where a lower position as in FIG.12 is needed for small aircraft, while a higher barrier as seen in FIG.13 is suitable for large aircraft.

FIG. 14 refers to a first method of installing an elastomer runway sidebarrier 78 against FOD. Spaced-apart fold relief recesses 80 areprovided therealong, allowing the barrier 78 to be folded and stored,and then transported from the manufacturer or vendor to an airport inthe compact folded form seen in the figure.

With regard to FIG. 15 there is illustrated a barrier 82 which is usedin combination with a second improved method of installation.

The invention provides a method of installing a runway side barrier 82.The barrier is manufactured in discrete lengths 88 for convenientstorage and transport. One extremity 84 of each length is formed in ahollow configuration to engage the unformed extremity 86 of an adjacentlength when deployed at the side of a runway.

Due to its construction and profile the removing of FOD whichaccumulated therealong is performed by ordinary cleaning tools know inthe art.

The scope of the described invention is intended to include allembodiments coming within the meaning of the following claims. Theforegoing examples illustrate useful forms of the invention, but are notto be considered as limiting its scope, as those skilled in the art willbe aware that additional variants and modifications of the invention canreadily be formulated without departing from the meaning of thefollowing claims.

We claim:
 1. A collapsible runway side barrier for preventing foreign object debris (FOD) from entering a runway or taxiway, wherein side barrier has an aerodynamic profile; wherein one side of the barrier is convex while another side is concave; wherein the barrier is made of a rigid material and constructed to crush under pressure of an aircraft landing wheel.
 2. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one row of ground attachment items.
 3. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rigid material is selected from a group comprising metal and recycled rubber.
 4. The barrier as claimed in claim 3, wherein the metal is sheet metal.
 5. The barrier as claimed in claim 3, wherein the metal is perforated metal.
 6. The barrier as claimed in claim 3, wherein the metal is selected from a group comprising steel and aluminum.
 5. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an actuator for varying the height of the barrier.
 6. The barrier as claimed in claim 5, wherein the actuator comprises one of: a screw and nut arrangement and a strut with a telescopic arm.
 7. The barrier as claimed in claim 5, wherein the actuator is remotely controllable from a control tower.
 8. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrier profile comprises at least one opening defined by a concave side of the barrier adapted to retain said foreign object debris.
 9. The barrier as claimed in claim 2, further comprising drainage channels disposed between the ground attachment items.
 10. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, further comprising support elements for a row of landing lights disposed along the length thereof; and wherein the profile of said barrier is shaped to create a protective space to accommodate an electric cable providing power to the landing lights. 